The infamous and banned 1987 short film by todd haynes, dir. The karen carpenter story which uses barbie dolls to narrate the tragic life of the american singer has become a cult hit because of both its controversy and its rarity. Brilliance and barbie dolls i found out about this movie in the 50 greatest cult films issue of entertainment weekly. The karen carpenter story, a surreal reenactment of the singers illfated career that uses barbie dolls instead of reallife actors. It may be the actress who played her who i dont know who that might be. Bonnie bramlett and leon russells evocative 1969 composition had history even before the carpenters.
The karen carpenter story is one made in 1987, while the future director of carol and. The karen carpenter story by the secret cinema published on 20160506t04. With cynthia gibb, mitchell anderson, peter michael goetz, michael mcguire. Some films were made for the internet well before the internet was made for them. Karen carpenter of the carpenters is a beautiful woman who knew how to play the drums like it was nobodies business. The karen carpenter story, todd haynes 1987 examination of the pop singers lethal battle with anorexia nervosa is currently banned in the united states because its soundtrack uses without permission a nonstop series of 70s pop songs, including most of the carpenters greatest hits. Todd haynes superstar the karen carpenter story experimental. Features karen carpenter sings superstar, as she becomes one. Karen was a chunky teenager who was passionate about playing the drums.
Download superstar the karen carpenter story 1987 torrent or any other torrent from category. Jan 11, 2017 objectively, superstar is a biopic about karen carpenter. Remembering the carpenters 1997 starring karen carpenter and richard carpenter on dvd and bluray. The karen carpenter story dvd is a well written and fascinating look in to the late pop icon karen carpenter s life before and. Superstar was cowritten and coproduced by haynes and cynthia. Listen to your favorite songs from music from superstar the karen carpenter story by union of sound now. Possibly in michigan 1983, cecelia condit, he was once 1989, mary hestand, and superstar.
The final 17 years of american singer and musician karen carpenter, performed almost entirely by modified barbie dolls. Like owen mentions, their song list is all over the place. Superstar is a difficult film to find as it was the subject of a cease and desist suit brought by richard carpenter of the carpenters making it illegal to sell or distribute the film commercially as the production company never bothered to clear the rights to the carpenter. After a day of taping the carpenters 5th television special music, music, music karen joined her friend, who was also taping a tv special. Getting to the bare bones of todd hayness superstar. The karen carpenter story openly gay, experimental filmmaker todd haynes burst upon the scene two years after his graduation from brown university with his nowinfamous 43minute cult treasure superstar. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. Banned by the carpenter estate, todd haynes experimental biopic superstar. Karen carpenter grew up in new haven,connecticut with her older brother, richard, and her parents. The film was noted for its postmodern approach, mixing news footage and documentarystyle interviews with. Controversial, undeniably brilliant alternative filmmaker todd haynes poison, superstar. Bonnie bramlett and leon russells evocative 1969 composition had history even before the carpenters recorded their version. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide.
Music from superstar the karen carpenter story by union of. Karen carpenter s battle with anorexia nervosa and the cultural influence of the carpenters in the 70s. Superstar is a difficult film to find as it was the subject of a cease and desist suit brought by richard carpenter of the carpenters making it illegal to sell or distribute the film commercially as the production company never bothered to clear the rights to the carpenters music on which the film depends. Directed by todd haynes, the film uses barbie dolls as actors, as well as documentaries and artistic footage. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. The film tells the heartbreaking story of pop superstar karen carpenter, who died tragically. I was looking for this song for my collection, but i will pass on this version. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing superstar. The karen carpenter story directed by todd haynes written by cynthia schneider, todd haynes starring merrill graves, michael edwards and melissa brown. Perhaps the most sophisticated student film youll ever see superstar. Moma has a copy but even they arent allowed to screen it.
The karen carpenter story is a provocative study in how much a gifted filmmaker can do with limited resources. Story of the meteoric rise and sudden fall of karen carpenter, who became a famous singer before battling anorexia and bulimia. Todd haynes far from heaven, safe burst upon the scene two years after his graduation with his nowinfamous 43minute superstar. Its clunky in execution mostly when text is superimposed on the screen in colors which dont work with the background, but the way the story is told is really well done and the shaving down of the barbie dolls as karen loses weight is priceless.
The karen carpenter story is a 1987 american experimental short biographical film that portrays the last 17 years of singer karen carpenters life, as she struggled with anorexia. Karen and richard carpenter are young musicians living with their parents in downey, california. Karens brother richard sued haynes for infringement. May 19, 2015 written, directed, and edited by todd haynes, superstar. The karen carpenter story is an american madefortelevision biographical film about singer karen carpenter and the brotherandsister pop music duo of which she was a part, the carpenters.
With merrill gruver, michael edwards, melissa brown, rob labelle. The karen carpenter story, it was on a ninthgeneration vhs tape that one of my college filmnerd friends had dug up somewhere. This madefortv movie is the authorized version of the life of karen carpenter and was made with the approval of richard carpenter. Directed by joseph sargent, it starred cynthia gibb as karen carpenter, and mitchell anderson as her brother, richard carpenter. The karen carpenter story reached the mainstream with this dreamy but toughminded satire. Aug 17, 2009 listen to your favorite songs from music from superstar the karen carpenter story by union of sound now. Music from superstar the karen carpenter story by union. Superstar carpenters, richard carpenter and karen carpenter. The karen carpenter story, and it was made three years ago by. The first film from todd haynes velvet goldmine, im not there, superstar is a hauntingly beautiful biopic that garnered immediate praise among the local film community but quickly received 2 ceaseanddesist letters from mattel, the maker of barbie, and karen carpenters. The karen carpenter story, a short film he wrote and directed that focused on singer karen carpenters battle with, and subsequent death from, anorexia nervosa. Its for those who fondly remember, those who have long loved, as well as for those about to be introduced to the music of richard and karen carpenter. Seven films influenced by bertolt brecht flip screen. Superstar was cowritten and coproduced by haynes and cynthia schneider, with an unauthorized.
It doesnt hold the weight of the established directors in modern cinema at least not to the casual viewer. The shortform story of the carpenters is that richard and karen grew up with dad and mom, harold and agnes, in. Karen carpenters battle with anorexia nervosa and the cultural influence of the carpenters in the 70s. The karen carpenter story is technically illegal to exhibit, although since the advent of youtube, its a bit of a moot point the upload embedded below was posted in 2012. While the string of new megahits by the carpenters ended with the 1983 death of karen carpenter, the catalog of songs by the grammywinning brothersister duo have become classics. The lost picture show listen via stitcher for podcasts. The karen carpenter story, a surreal reenactment of the singers illfated career that uses barbie. Karen carpenter was a self taught, incredible drummer as well as an unmatched songstress. Richard shows great promise as a songwriter and karen, who plays drums, begins to sing vocals, thrusting the duo into stardom. Jerry moss, who strongly believed in superstar, felt i was worrying needlessly, and made up my mind for me. Songs of dreamworks bmi produced by jack daugherty arranged by richard carpenter lead vocal. Check out music from superstar the karen carpenter story by union of sound on amazon music. Karen carpenters battle with anorexia nervosa and the cultural. The karen carpenter story aug 7, 2011 62 minutes this week we talked about.
Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Aug 11, 2016 some films were made for the internet well before the internet was made for them. Schmidt compiled and edited yesterday once more and served as creative consultant for several television documentaries on the carpenters, including the e. Cowritten, coproduced and directed by avantgarde filmmaker todd haynes, superstar is. Dont confuse this experimental effort with the madefortv biography of singer karen carpenter. The karen carpenter story dvd 1989 is a sad and true story of a timeless singer that was taken far too soon. Dark waters director todd haynes short superstar and its unique brilliance seems to be being left further and further behind in the discussion of his work. The saga of a beloved singer and her battle with anorexia, acted out by barbie dolls. Karen carpenter sings superstar, as she becomes one. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. The karen carpenter story 1987 todd haynes isnt a name immediately synonymous with the great works of the film world.
The first film from todd haynes velvet goldmine, im not there, superstar is a hauntingly beautiful biopic that garnered immediate praise among the local film community but quickly received 2 ceaseanddesist letters from mattel, the maker of barbie, and karen carpenter s. Oct 12, 2007 todd haynes far from heaven, safe burst upon the scene two years after his graduation with his nowinfamous 43minute superstar. Jul 03, 2008 the real karen carpenter story told through the reenactment of events in karen s life by barbie dolls and mixed media features insights into the affliction o. Objectively, superstar is a biopic about karen carpenter. The movie was shot using barbie dolls for most of the scenes and became a cult film after losing a lawsuit filed against haynes by richard carpenter. The karen carpenter story dvd shows how karen s eating disorder was not widely understood back in the 80s.
Jul 04, 2008 the real karen carpenter story told through the reenactment of events in karen s life by barbie dolls and mixed media features insights into the affliction of anorexia viet nam war the 70s. Despite not being able to be produced, the movie is readily found online. With barbie dolls as the principal actors, superstar portrays the life of karen carpenter and her battle with anorexia. She also had a sweet alto singing voice that would take her and richard.